Transcript Parallel Structure

Parallel Structure
 Parallel Structure means using the same pattern
of words to show that two or more ideas have
the same level of importance. This can happen
at three levels:
 Word
 Phrase
 Clause
What is Parallel Structure?
 Parallel structure involves putting together
elements of similar structure to achieve
balanced writing
 Winston Churchill did not say

I have nothing to offer but bleeding, toil, tears, and
sweating
 He said
 I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat
 Churchill understood parallelism
Examples:
 Poor: Betty has intelligence, honesty, and she is
funny
 Improved: Betty has intelligence, honesty, and
she is funny humour
 Poor: Good writing requires you to plan outlines,
write several drafts, and revision
 Improved: Good writing requires you to plan
outlines, write several drafts, and revision revise
your work
Items in a series must have parallel
structure.
Parallelism looks like this:
Shane
,
, and
.
Shane
,
, and
.
Here is an example:
Shane ate the pizza, wiped his lips, and
burped with contentment.
Ate = past tense verb;
wiped = past tense
verb; and burped =
past tense verb.
Don’t create problems by mixing grammatical
elements.
Non-parallel structure looks like this:
Shane
,
, and
.
Shane
,
, and
.
The problem looks like this:
Shane ate the pizza, wiped his lips, and
burping with contentment.
Now look what you’ve
done! Ate and wiped
= past tense verbs, but
burping = present
participle!
Words and Phrases
 Incorrect:
 Mary likes hiking, swimming, and to ride a bicycle.
 Correct:
 Mary likes hiking, swimming, and riding a bicycle.
More Examples: Words & Phrases
 Incorrect:
 The production manager was asked to write his
report quickly, accurately, and in a detailed
manner.
 Correct:
 The production manager was asked to write his
report quickly, accurately, and thoroughly.
Examples continued:
 Incorrect:
 Angry ants, munched the marshmallows,
crumbling coffeecake, and sipping syrup, headed
off across the countertop.
 Correct:
 Angry ants, munching marshmallows, crumbling
coffeecake, and sipping syrup, headed off across
the countertop.
Clauses
 Parallel structure that begins with clauses must
continue on with clauses.
 Incorrect:

The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep,
that they should not eat too much, and to do some warm-up
exercises before the game.
 Correct:
 The coach told the players that they should get a lot of sleep,
that they should not eat too much, and that they should do
some warm-up exercises before the game
Lists after a colon
 Lists after a colon must be parallel.
 Incorrect: The dictionary
can be used for these
purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations,
correct spellings, and looking up irregular verbs.
 Correct: The dictionary can be used for these
purposes: to find word meanings, pronunciations,
correct spellings, and irregular verbs.
Other things to watch for:
 Use parallel structure with pairs of
words or ideas.
 Examples:
 Granny’s method was tried and true
 Man proposes. God disposes.
Use parallel structure on both sides of
coordinating conjunctions
 For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
 Examples:
 She possessed all the wizard’s charm yet
none of the wizard’s insight.
 Consult a doctor if your coughing persists
or if your coughing worsens over the
weekend.
Practice!
Rewrite the Sentences to Make Them
Parallel
 Sabrina has wit, charm, and she has an
extremely pleasant personality.
 Sabrina has wit, charm, and a pleasing
personality.
 In English class, Tashonda learned to read
poems critically and she appreciated good
prose.
 In English class, Tashonda learned to read
poems critically and appreciate good prose.
 Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a
caring mentor, and friend.
 Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a
caring mentor, and a wise friend.
 We found the film repulsive, offensive, and we
thought it was embarrassing.
 We found the film repulsive, offensive, and
embarrassing.
 Mr. Tran kept his store clean, neat, and he had it
conveniently arranged.
 Mr. Tran kept his store clean, neat, and
conveniently arranged.
Choose the sentence that has parallel structure.
A. A. Barking dogs, kittens that were meowing, and squawking
parakeets greet the pet shop visitors.
B. B. Barking dogs, meowing kittens, and squawking parakeets
greet the pet shop visitors.
C. C. Dogs that bark, kittens that meow, and parakeets squawking
greet the pet shop visitors.
Choose the sentence that has parallel structure.
 A. During class, Samuel spent his time flirting with
Brittney, eating candy, and doodling on the assignment
sheet.
 B. During class, Samuel spent his time flirting with
Brittney, he ate candy, and doodling on the assignment
sheet.
 C. During class, Samuel spent his time to flirt with Brittney,
to eat candy, and doodling on the assignment sheet.
Choose the sentence that has parallel structure.
 A. Alex looked everywhere for his math book—under the
bed, on his desk, and he searched inside the refrigerator.
 B. Alex looked everywhere for his math book—viewing
under the bed, searching on his desk, and inside the
refrigerator.
 C. Alex looked everywhere for his math book—under the
bed, on his desk, and inside the refrigerator.
Choose the sentence that has parallel structure.
23
A.
B.
C.
D.
He came, he saw, and he received.
He came, he wanted to see, but he didn’t.
He came; he started to ask; he didn’t want to.
He saw, didn’t come or receive.
Choose the sentence that has parallel structure.
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A. The children laughed, jumped, and danced.
B. The children were laughing, jumped, and some were
dancing.
C. The children were laughing and jumping; some even
danced.
D. The children laughed, dancing, and jumping.
Choose the sentence that has parallel structure.
25
A. You are not only a student but also very athletic.
B. You are not only a student but also being very athletic.
C. You are not only a student but also an athlete.
D. You are not only a student but also have athletic ability.
Choose the correct words to make the sentence
parallel.
 Pasta boiling in water, __________, and garlic bread
baking in the oven welcomed Francisco as he opened the
door.
 A. simmered tomato sauce in the pan
 B. tomato sauce simmering in the pan
 C. tomato sauce that simmered in the pan
 D. saucy tomatoes that were simmering in the pan
Choose the correct words to make the sentence
parallel.
Karen wished Ray chewed with his mouth closed, for
otherwise he was everything she wanted in a date; he was
tall, intelligent, and __________.
A. he looked good
B. being good looking
C. one handsome man to look at
D. handsome
Choose the correct words to make the sentence
parallel.
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Ron was an expert tennis player and _____.
A. went fishing
B. fished
C. liked to go fishing
D. an avid fisherman
Choose the correct words to make the sentence
parallel.
29
Don would always open the mail, throw away the junk mail,
and _____.
A. to organize the bills.
B. organizing the bills
C. organize the bills
D. organization of the bills
Choose the correct words to make the sentence
parallel.
30
Rebecca was not only my boss but also ______.
A. is my friend
B. says she is my friend
C. friendly
D. my friend